Goal Setting

You Don’t Have to Choose Between a Niche & Success

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NOTE: for additional training, join me for my no-fee workshop, Attract Great Clients, with or without a Niche on August 22.  Click here to RSVP.

You Don’t Have to Choose Between a Niche & Success

Ever felt stuck trying to define a niche? You’re told it’s essential for success, but every time you narrow your focus, you end up more confused and frustrated. 

And worried that you’re going to miss out on clients you could truly serve.

You’re not alone. Many coaches face this pressure, especially in the early stages of their business.

But here’s the good news: while a niche can help focus your efforts, it’s not the only path to attracting great clients. In fact, staying open to different types of clients can be just what you need to grow your business without feeling boxed in.

To let go of the niche anxiety and build a thriving coaching practice, here are three simple tips to help you succeed:

  1. Focus on Your Strengths: Instead of narrowing your focus to a specific niche, play to your strengths. What do you naturally excel at? What problems are you passionate about solving? Let your unique skills and interests guide you to the clients who need what you offer.
  1. Build Genuine Relationships: Success in coaching comes from building strong, authentic relationships. Focus on connecting with potential clients, understanding their needs, and offering value. Referrals will follow when people know, like, and trust you.
  1. Pay Attention to Patterns: As you gain experience, you’ll naturally discover which types of clients and projects resonate most with you. Notice the patterns, the similarities between your clients and this will help you focus your client generation efforts as your business evolves.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for success. Trust your instincts, stay open to possibilities, and know that your path to a thriving coaching business is unique – just like you!

Want to get my earn-while-you-learn approach to growth?

Join my free workshop – Attract Great Clients with or without a Niche – and develop the structure that allows you tons of freedom while attracting the variety of clients you crave!

3 Essentials for Coaches to Attract More Clients

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As a coach, you know the value you bring, but figuring out the daily steps to grow your business can be like throwing spaghetti against the wall.

Every coach I’ve worked with is crystal clear about the difference they want to make in the world. But to keep making that difference, you need to STAY in business: which means figuring out how to earn an income doing what you love.

1. Ideal Client Clarity

Stop trying to reach everyone – focus on the ones who value your services enough to pay for it without you having to over-explain or convince them. It’s not about casting the widest net but about speaking directly to those who are looking for exactly what you offer. When you hone in on your ideal clients, your message resonates more, and you naturally attract those who are ready to work with you.

2. Structure & Systems

You’ve probably heard that having systems is crucial, but the real secret? Keep it simple. A good system is easy to follow and focuses on consistent, repeatable actions. Don’t get lost in the noise of countless strategies. Find what works for you and stick with it, so you can concentrate on what matters most: helping your clients.

3. Accountability

Accountability isn’t about being micromanaged; it’s about having someone in your corner, supporting your journey. Like my star client Ben Grimes from BKG Leadership Coaching says, “It’s comforting to know someone’s there to help me stay on track and meet my goals.” Don’t be afraid to seek guidance – it’s a powerful way to ensure you stay focused and motivated.

Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. Reaching out for support can be incredibly empowering, freeing you to do what you love: making a difference through your coaching.

You can reach out to me here, anytime: mary@simplygetclients.com.

 Making Peace with Time (low-tech, no cost)

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I’ll admit it: I have a troubled relationship with time.

I’m always searching for the perfect way to schedule my calendar. The perfect scheduling tool. The perfect reminder system.

This year I made three simple changes that cost me nothing and make a big difference in how I feel every single day.

  1. For as long as I can remember, I have hung a one-year dry-erase laminated calendar on the wall that I face while sitting at my desk. Time was literally looming over me. I was facing off with it every single day. So I moved 2024’s calendar behind my office door and filled the space I face with the things that are most important to me: family, pets and inspiration.
  2. Another long-time practice that I changed is I stopped wearing my Apple watch. Even though I have all the notifications turned off, it was a distraction. I could check the weather, my exercise rings… so many ways to waste a little bit of time here and there. I’ve swapped out the techy nagging device for a watch my Dad gave me one Christmas. It’s sentimental and low tech. Doesn’t even have the date on it.
  3. With this last one, I may be veering into the neighborhood of TMI, but an idea from my fab time management coach Lisa Crilley Mallis of Impactive Strategies, I go to the downstairs bathroom instead of the one right next to my office. A mini-break from my day.

I’ll wrap up with this thought: when you have a busy life and business, making huge sweeping changes is hard. And then maintaining them? Almost impossible.So while these 3 changes might seem too small to actually make a different, the power behind them is that they are sustainable.

Cure a Crowded Calendar: 46 Ways to Say NO 

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At the end of each year, I look ahead and strategize ways to make sure I don’t overload my calendar and spread myself too thin.

This year the answer came through loud and clear: say NO to substandard opportunities.

​​I ran this by a few of my peers and the response was a resounding, “Yesssssss… but how do I do that?”

Because the truth is, you need an arsenal of “no” responses to handle the wide variety of situations you encounter on a daily basis. So I compiled a list of suggestions (including unexpected but appreciated neurodivergent perspectives) from my online community in order to support you to say no to any substandard opportunities that come your way. I’ve left in duplicates for emphasis!

First, a Little Fun

1. Janet: 🤣 

2. Diane: Write “no” across the top of your calendar for every day of the week. Tell the person asking you to do the favor “just a minute, I have to check my calendar”. Come back and say, “I’m sorry but my calendar says no.” 😂

3. Mary Sue: Unfortunately, I can’t take on any unpaid work to help you make money at this time. Thanks for thinking of me though.

Direct, Brief Responses

4. Tina: No. I use it just as it is.

5. Heather: No.

6. Kathy: NO

7. Lisa: No. 🤪🤪✊

8. Kimble: Nope.

9. Eric: Nope.

10.  Gioia: It seems to me that “No” is simple and to the point. There is no need to say anything more.

11.  Kelley: It’s in the delivery. Breathe so you’re grounded. And then let it come from your heart. And if you really want no objection, make it about how you feel. Nobody can argue with how you feel.

Work or Commitment Requests

Stella:

12.  That’s not a priority for me right now.

13.  I’m not interested at this time.

14.  That doesn’t work for me at the moment.

15.  I’m not in a spot to say yes right now.

16.  I’d love to help out where it makes sense, but this seems out of scope for me at the moment.

17.  I don’t have the bandwidth to take on anything new right now.

18.  I’m really prioritizing my mental health and wellbeing right now.

19.  I’m downsizing my commitments for next year in order to have a more sustainable work-life balance.

20.  I promised myself I’d say no to things that don’t light me up.

21.  I recognize the need, but I don’t know that I’m the one to fill it.

Neurodivergent Perspectives

22.  Dave: As a busy and neurodivergent person, anything other than short and sweet gets intuitively processed as unclear or a “maybe.” Folks need to put effort in for me not to understand a clear no as anything but kind. I’m grateful for: No, Not now, Another time (I may try to set that up), A referral.

23.  Heather: My son is autistic and has a particular flavor that doesn’t respond to no – and I think that opens up an entire other conversation too. His teachers every year would be like; “we will teach him” and mid-year they are like “ok, we concede, he doesn’t register no and cannot accept it” and I’m like yep- welcome to the party.

24.  Brooke: I’m an ADHDer and I am so, so grateful when people speak plainly and directly. I simply do not understand indirect communication styles. So, yes, if you mean “no” please just say “no”.

Personal or Social Situations

25.  Jim: Please don’t waste your time, this isn’t going to happen. (Persistent missionaries at the doorstep)

26.  Amy: When my then boyfriend / now husband was moving too fast in our early days: “Let’s save that for later.” We still talk about that 😊

27.  Melanie: I appreciate your ….. this phrasing also works instead of saying I’m sorry….. It turns it into asking them to understand rather than you apologizing.

28.  Jamie: Since my toddler no longer hears NO… I say – that’s not an option right now. Might work on adults who also don’t hear the word no (aka parents or siblings).

No with Appreciation

29.  Linda: Thank you for asking but my answer must be no.

30.  Carolyn: “Thank you for understanding that I just don’t have the capacity to say yes (or room on my plate or my plate already runneth over, etc…).” Use ‘thank you’ instead of ‘I’m sorry’ when declining.

31.  Shanna: Thank you but no. Good luck on your search.

32.  Kathleen: “I cannot say yes, but thanks for asking.”

33.  Andrea: I’m not comfortable with that right now. I’m sure you understand.

34.  Lisa: Thank you for asking, I truly am flattered. However, I must decline. I don’t have the capacity at this time to do your request justice.

35.  Lorie: Thank you for reaching out. I’m not able to help right now but I appreciate you thinking of me!

36.  Cindy: Thanks for asking. I don’t think I’m the right fit for this right now. Might I suggest…. (someone else who could do the job).

37.  Ashley: It sounds like an awesome opportunity but I’m overextended for the foreseeable future.

Kristen: I like to share that I have no capacity…

38.  I do not have capacity for anything new and don’t foresee that changing anytime soon.

39.  I appreciate you asking and I don’t have capacity for that.

40.  I am already overwhelmed with so much going on, I am going to have to say no.

41.  I am behind on other projects right now and I like to keep my commitments so I am not making any more.

42.  I am going to have to say no to stay in integrity with myself.

43.  Lelia: No…it works every time. No need for reasons why. You can always add, thank you for thinking of me

44.  Claire: I hear you and thank you, but the answer has to be no

45.  Cindy: Thank you for asking but I must decline.

Firm Responses

46.  Jim: A lot of responses from nice people that probably don’t have a lot of sales experience. The persistent salesperson has heard it all. Too many words just have them waiting to pounce. You need to punch them squarely in the nose. Nicely. ‘Not happening’ No rationalization or justification. Blam. Give them no hope you might engage. They will appreciate it and move on. You’re being nice.

Special thanks to Big Impact Business Owners and Coaches Creating CommUnity for their generous and thoughtful contributions to this list.

How to Ditch the Pressure of “Now or Never”

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At the end of the year, all I hear about is closing the year strong and creating a mind-blowing plan for 2024.

It is so much pressure, and I was starting to crack from the stress of it all. Here’s a 90 second tip where I share what I did to release the pressure fast!